About

The History Council of Victoria Incorporated (HCV) is the peak body for history in Victoria.

Through its activities, the HCV encourages the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of history, and aims to raise the profile of history with decision-makers and the wider community. Its detailed purposes are listed below.

The HCV was established in 2001 as a public advisory body to support and promote history in Victoria. It comprises representatives from a wide range of arts, heritage and educational organisations.

Our vision

Connecting Victorians with history and inspiring engagement with the past, their identity and the world today

Our values

We encourage excellence through all that we say and do

We respect diversity

We recognise that history can be written about any place, any person, any period

We celebrate the work of living historians

We value historically significant places and objects

We treasure the records that provide evidence for historians

We cherish those who maintain living historical traditions and intangible heritage practices

We encourage those who share their experiences through oral histories, thereby creating new forms of evidence of the past

We acknowledge the historical narratives and interpretations shaped by writers, producers and artists and revealed through all forms of scholarly and creative media

We congratulate the teachers who encourage the pursuit of history and foster a life-long love of learning in this field

We believe that the study of history contributes to work readiness and job satisfaction, and that the best decisions draw on historical knowledge

Purposes

The Association is established for public charitable purposes of promoting the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of written literature, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, oral history, film and other art forms that have historical content or significance by, without limitation:

promoting the writing and protection of historical literature;

raising the profile of literature and media with historical content at all levels of government and throughout the community to strengthen recognition of history in policy and practice;

facilitating communication and cooperation between the History Council’s constituent organisations in the interests of promoting public awareness of historical culture;

undertaking lectures, seminars and other activities that encourage access to historical literature, artefacts, film and other art forms;

facilitating co-ordination between the various organisations involved in writing historical literature and the teaching of history in schools;

advising on appropriate information, communication and referral procedures for individuals and organisations in the history community;

promoting art forms based on, or inspired by, Victoria’s history;

promoting awareness of and encouraging research into the historical culture of Victoria’s Indigenous and multicultural populations;

increasing support to history teachers and students, particularly in rural areas;

increasing support and resources for history from a wide range of government, community and business sources through direct representation, cultural activities, awards, promotions and exhibitions;

exploring and advising on ways of improving the knowledge base of teachers of history through use of historical literature and other media; and